American Federation of Government Employees
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is an American labor union representing over 750,000 employees of the federal government, about 5,000 employees of the District of Columbia, and a few hundred private sector employees, mostly in and around federal facilities. AFGE is the largest union for civilian, non-postal federal employees and the largest union for District of Columbia employees who report directly to the mayor. It is affiliated with the AFL–CIO.
Berniece Heffner was the first national Secretary and Treasurer of the AFGE Movement.
Henrietta Olding, pictured here in 1917, was an early vice president of District 2. She was a labor rights and women's rights activist within the movement.
AFGE members hold a silent protest to demand that Congress avoid another government shutdown, 2019.
AFGE rally against Department of Veterans Affair budget cuts, 2012.
American Federation of Labor
The American Federation of Labor was a national federation of labor unions in the United States that continues today as the AFL–CIO. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1886 by an alliance of craft unions eager to provide mutual support and disappointed in the Knights of Labor. Samuel Gompers was elected the full-time president at its founding convention and was re-elected every year except one until his death in 1924. He became the major spokesperson for the union movement.
American Federation of Labor
Terence Powderly, Grand Master Workman of the Knights of Labor, whose refusal to negotiate with craft unions led to formation of the AFL
Samuel Gompers in the office of the American Federation of Labor, 1887.
Samuel Gompers with John Mitchell of the United Mine Workers of America
